Chapters 1 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Issue Raised During Scoping
Habitat Restoration
Restore upland habitat to
expand the Refuge’s native
habitat diversity
Expand wetland habitat on
the Refuge
Public Use
Provide the public with
opportunities to enjoy the
resources preserved on the
Refuge
Construct new facilities to
improve opportunities for
wildlife observation
Support environmental
education
Improve the public’s ability to
access the Refuge
Refuge Operations
Provide adequate
funding/staffing to achieve
Refuge goals
Research
Encourage research that will
benefit Refuge resources and
future Refuge management
Alternative A
(No Action)
Continue to control invasive plant species on the
upland areas within the Refuge, as well as install
native plants following invasive plant control to
prevent reinvasion of nonnative species
Continue to manage the +950 acres of coastal
wetlands within the Refuge boundary to support
fish, birds, and other marine organisms
Continue to provide monthly public tours of the
Refuge, as well as special tours and other special
events
Current opportunities for wildlife observation
are provided along the interpretive trail that
extends from the Refuge office/visitor contact
station to the observation deck on Bolsa Avenue
Continue to support the Friends in their efforts
to implement on- and off-refuge environmental
education programs
Continue to work with the NWSSB to
accommodate opportunities for the public to
access the Refuge when accompanied by Refuge
or NWSSB personnel
Continue current staff levels and provide
support and encouragement for the Refuge’s
Friends Group
Continue to support research on the Refuge that
benefits Refuge management while taking into
consideration potential endangered species
impacts and Navy access restrictions
Table 3-6 (continued)
Comparison of Alternatives for the Seal Beach NWR CCP
Alternative B
(Maximize Salt Marsh Restoration, Continue Current Public Uses)
Same as Alternative A, as well as work with the Navy to expand invasive
plant control to include NWSSB lands adjacent to the Refuge; expand
invasive species control on the Refuge and plant appropriate upland
species to prevent reinvasion of nonnative plants
Restore 22 acres of intertidal habitat (i.e., 12 acres to the north of Case
Road Pond, 8 acres to the southeast of 7 th Street Pond, 2.4 acres to the
southwest of 7 th Street Pond) and an additional 15 acres of
wetland/upland transition habitat throughout the restoration areas to
support coastal dependent species
Alternative C – Preferred Alternative
(Optimize Upland/Wetland Restoration, Improve
Opportunities for Wildlife Observation)
Same as Alternative B, as well as restore 11 acres of coastal
sage scrub habitat on the Refuge, including 8 acres north of
Case Road Pond and 3 acres southeast of the 7 th Street Pond
Restore 14 acres of intertidal habitat (i.e., 10 acres north of
Case Road Pond, 5 acres to the southeast of 7 th Street Pond)
and 10 acres of wetland/upland transition habitat
throughout the restoration areas to support coastal
dependent species
Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A, as well as work with NWSSB to
increase the number of opportunities available annually for
wildlife observation and environmental education purposes
Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A, as well as partner with the NWSSB
to construct an elevated observation deck along the east side
of Kitts Highway across from the Refuge office/visitor
contact station
Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A
Same as Alternative A Same as Alternative A (refer to Section 3.4.4. for more
information)
Same as Alternative A Expand on-site Refuge staff by adding a full time Wildlife
Biologist
Identify needed areas for research and possible associated studies that
benefit Refuge management and resources and are consistent with
Refuge purposes and the mission of the NWRS
Same as Alternative B
3-42 Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge